Aussie hiker's timely warning as 'itchy' bites in the bush pose serious health risk

Rachelle Patterson has warned people to be careful ahead of summer after her husband was bitten several times by paralysis ticks.

Hamish and Rachelle Patterson smiling at the camera on a walk (left) and the pair walking up a steep embankment (right).
Rachelle Patterson's husband Hamish has been bitten several times by paralysis ticks in recent months. Source: Supplied

A woman is urging Aussies to remember that ticks don't just pose a health risk to pets after her husband has copped multiple bites in recent months, with each taking him weeks to recover from.

Rachelle Patterson told Yahoo News her husband Hamish's most recent bite occurred on Wednesday morning while he was out on a dog walk near Picnic Point in Toowoomba, Queensland. The paralysis tick lodged itself into his neck, with pictures showing the unnerving aftermath.

"[It was] very red and inflamed, plus itchy... normally the bites take about two weeks to properly heal and resolve," she said.

The couple were able to remove the paralysis tick using Medi Freeze tick-off — something Rachelle called "a must-have during tick reason".

Thankfully Hamish's symptoms weren't severe, however, tick bites can pose serious health risks and can cause collapsing and even difficulty breathing.

Another woman told Yahoo News her brother had developed an allergy to ticks after being bitten several times in close succession last year, with his doctor telling him the next tick bite could even cause life-threatening anaphylactic shock.

The paralysis tick lodged into Hamish's neck.
Hamish was bitten on the neck by a paralysis tick on Wednesday. Source: Supplied

Correct tick removal is crucial to minimise health risks and the best way to do this is either by using a specific product for the job, like the Pattersons did, or you can otherwise use tweezers – although it's arguably not the recommended way.

"If you find a tick do not attempt to remove the tick with tweezers. Do not scratch or disturb a tick," Stephen Doggett from NSW Health Pathology previously told Yahoo News.

People who are not allergic to ticks should kill it by using an "ether-based spray" or seek urgent medical assistance if they are unable to freeze it. However, those with a known tick allergy should seek urgent medical intervention.

Rachelle echoed that sentiment and urged Aussie walkers to carry tick spray and do a thorough check after walking in long grass.

"Stay out of bushy areas including long grass, however, if you are going to do so, spray DEET all over your clothing before you head out," she told Yahoo. "When you return home, give yourself a really good check-over, and pay particular attention to any areas that become itchy."

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